Kisumu Jua Kali artisans call for sustained support after empowerment boost

Jua Kali artisans in Kisumu have requested ongoing economic assistance to help grow their businesses and enhance the well-being of thousands of workers within Kenya’s informal sector. The artisans expressed gratitude for the empowerment package provided by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, yet urged the government and development partners to focus on long-term sector development instead of isolated efforts.

Speaking to the media on August 13, 2026, Jua Kali artisans chairperson Jack Osen confirmed that the donated items would be distributed equitably and utilized for the benefit of all members. He emphasized that the support would strengthen their capacity to organize events and collectively generate income. Osen lamented that Jua Kali workers have long observed other groups receiving economic aid while their sector remained under-supported despite contributing to the livelihoods of many families through small-scale enterprises.

He appealed for continued support, stating that further empowerment would significantly improve their economic situation. Osen stressed that the artisans aim to transform this initial step into a foundation for broader economic prospects. Deborah Ojuka, founder of the HOPE20 initiative, explained that the program was established to address the vulnerability of informal businesses to financial crises caused by illness or death.

She highlighted that many small-business owners depend solely on daily earnings, making even brief absences financially devastating. HOPE20 operates on the principle that small, regular contributions can establish a collective safety net for unregulated workers. The Ksh20 daily contribution aims to provide a financial buffer and bolster their collective bargaining power.

Ojuka noted that the initiative, managed by the operators themselves, provides them with greater control during emergencies affecting their families and businesses. She highlighted that the Jua Kali artisans, with an estimated 25,000 collective members, were chosen as the first beneficiaries due to their established leadership structures and their representation of a significant portion of the sector.

Boy Willis Akoth, a participant, emphasized that the empowerment is crucial for the Jua Kali sector, which supports young people, women, and older workers. He connected this initiative to the government's focus on youth empowerment, machinery provision, and overall economic opportunities for marginalized groups.